Moyo highlights role of non-playing squad in Junior Bok victory

SA U20 flyhalf Vusi Moyo praised the contribution and hard work of the non-playing squad members after the Junior Springboks secured a well-deserved 32-22 victory in their World Rugby U20 Championship pool clash over defending champions England in Rovigo on Friday evening.

South Africa trailed 22-19 at the break after a slow start to the match, which saw England quickly take a 14-0 lead.

However, two vital penalties by Moyo – one from almost 60m out – and a brilliant solo try by SA U20 vice-captain and scrumhalf Haashim Pead not only wiped out the deficit but also swung the momentum firmly in favour of the Junior Boks.

With the victory, the South Africans became the first team to book their spot in the semi-finals, with one pool round to go.

Moyo, the top points’ scorer in the tournament so far, credited the non-playing squad members: “They prepared us well during the week by putting pressure on us, so when we got into those moments, we knew what to do.

The SA flyhalf, who has scored 26 points in the first two games, said that even though they made a slow start and were behind early on, they always had belief: “We are a big detail-driven side and we don’t focus on other stuff; we just concentrate on what we have to do.”

Moyo’s combination with Pead has been an important feature of the Junior Boks' attack so far, alongside his ability to bring their dangerous running backs into play.

Pead is second behind Moyo on the list for most points with 20 from four tries – he scored a brace in each match so far, which is also the most five-pointers after two rounds of action.

Apart from his two penalties against England, Moyo succeeded with three conversions, adding to the seven he slotted in the previous game against Australia.

Meanwhile, the Junior Boks are enjoying a deserved rest day on Saturday before resuming training on Sunday for Wednesday's last Pool A game against Scotland in Calvisano.

The SA U20s' win means they lead Pool A on 10 points, five more than England and Australia, who face each other in the final pool round.

In Pool B, France and Argentina both sit on 10 points each, while New Zealand top Pool C on nine points. The three pool winners and the best of the second-placed teams will go through to the semi-finals.

Junior Springbok squad

Props: Jean Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Herman Lubbe (DHL Western Province), Simphiwe Ngobese (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Jaundré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls).

Locks: Jaco Grobbelaar (Vodacom Bulls), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Western Province), JJ Theron (Vodacom Bulls), Morné Venter (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Loose forwards: Thando Biyela (Fidelity ADT Lions), Bathobele Hlekani (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wandile Mlaba (DHL Western Province), Xola Nyali (DHL Western Province), Matt Romao (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Stephanus Linde (Toyota Cheetahs).

Scrumhalves: Ceano Everson (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Haashim Pead (Fidelity ADT Lions), Erich Visser (Toyota Cheetahs).

Flyhalves: Vusi Moyo (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ian van der Merwe (Vodacom Bulls).

Centres: Albie Bester (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Gino Cupido (DHL Western Province), Demitre Erasmus (Vodacom Bulls), Dominic Malgas (DHL Western Province).

Outside backs: Cheswill Jooste (Vodacom Bulls), Gilermo Mentoe (Fidelity ADT Lions), Siya Ndlozi (DHL Western Province), Jaco Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks).